Undocumented migrants in Florida sent to Martha’s Vineyard, SWFL Democratic chairwoman reaction

Reporter: Emma Heaton Writer: Paul Dolan
Published: Updated:
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Undocumented migrants getting on a plane that’s going to Martha’s Vineyard. (CREDIT: CBS)

Governor Ron Desantis defends his decision to fly two planes full of undocumented migrants up to Martha’s Vineyard.

Sending migrants to Northern cities, far from the border so they can confront the immigration crisis head-on is a similar move to what Texas’ governor has been doing.

Critics quickly sprung on top of the move and called the move inhumane.

At Thursday’s press conference, DeSantis said multiple times the United States needs to close its borders. And if President Biden keeps them open, he will not allow migrants to settle in Florida.

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Children and parents sharing goodbyes. (CREDIT: CBS)

Annisa Karim, the chairwoman of the Collier County Democratic party, was a migrant a long time ago.

“To leave home to leave everything, you know, not knowing what you’re going towards, is frightening,” Karim said. “It is, it is something that so few people have the courage to do, and then to be treated in such a horrible manner to be treated like pawns, and not human beings.”

Her dream to become a citizen came true, but DeSantis said the dram of citizenship for all migrants, won’t start in Florida.

Wednesday night DeSantis ordered them to be put on planes headed to Massachusettes.

Volunteers in Martha’s Vineyard said they were told by some of the migrants they did not know where they were but were told they would b given housing and jobs.

DeSantis’ office released the following statement Wednesday night, “Massachusetts, New York, and California will better facilitate the care of these individuals who they have invited into our country by incentivizing illegal immigration through their designation as “sanctuary states”

Thursday morning, DeSantis sent out a message letting the public know he is doubling down.

“Our message to them is we are not a sanctuary state,” DeSantis said. “And it’s better to be able to go to a sanctuary jurisdiction. And yes, we will help facilitate that transport for you to be able to go to greener pastures.”

DeSantis is essentially saying that the state of Florida will pay the migrants way out of Florida.

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Migrants getting on a bus headed to Martha’s Vineyard. (CREDIT: CBS)

However, Charlie Crist, the Democrat who hopes to take DeSantis’ place in the Governor’s office, blasted the move calling it vile.

“To do it this way… it’s appalling, absolutely appalling,” Crist said at a press conference.

Thursday afternoon, the CBS station in Providence, Rhode Island spoke with the congressman who represents Martha’s vineyard. The congressman claims DeSantis sent a photographer on the plane to record video of the migrants as part of a political stunt.

Nicole Fried, the Commissioner of The Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services Commissioner sent the letter shown below to the Attorney General of the United States, The Honorable Merrick Garland.

A letter from Nicole Fried to the Attorney General of the United States, The Honorable Merrick Garland, about Gov. Ron DeSantis transporting the migrants by plane. (CREDIT: Florida Department of Agriculture)

And, for the record, Florida taxpayers paid for that flight.

The legislature set aside $12,000,000 in the budget for DeSantis to transport the migrants out of the state.

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